This false alarm served as a lesson to the ignorant sorcerer apprentices.
Everyone learned their lesson and, for the next two days, obediently followed Helen's instructions.
The area the tour group traversed during these two days was the domain of insect monsters.
A giant mantis, towering over Alan, its forelimbs shaped like two serrated machetes.
Venomous spiders, larger than wheels, slithered up and down thumb-thick silk threads with a dashing agility.
The creature that left the most profound impression on everyone was the burrowing worm.
During their journey, they discovered a large oval hole in the ground.
Helen warned everyone to steer clear!
An overly curious boy, simply approaching the hole and peering into the pitch-black darkness...
The next second, a giant monster worm emerged from the hole, engulfing him and dragging him back into the depths.
Allen and the others heard the noise and rushed to the scene.
They only managed to hear the boy's final scream.
"He was dragged into the burrow by the burrowing worms. Now his entire face has been corroded by the acid, exposing the bones. There's no way he can be saved."
Helen sighed and crossed the boy's name off the roster.
As usual, accidents and casualties among freshmen during registration were not uncommon. Losses of less than five were acceptable to the academy.
However, if too many died, she, the senior student leading the group, would be held responsible for dereliction of duty.
"Fortunately, there are only three days left," Helen said to Allen, comforting herself. "Be careful on the road. There shouldn't be any more casualties."
"I hope so," Allen replied softly. The fifth and sixth days of the trip.
Alan and his companions journeyed through the lush, peaceful forest.
This area was the domain of the jungle elves.
Most of the elves were born sorcerers.
Alan's mentor, Lady Sora, inherited the bloodline of a type of elf called the "thorn elf" and became a sorcerer after awakening.
Like humans, elves have both good and bad sides.
However, unlike the organized human society, elves never restrain their free and unrestrained nature.
They act recklessly and unpredictably. For travelers, is the elf forest dangerous? It's a completely random matter.
When the elves are in a good mood, they will treat travelers as honored guests.
On the other hand, if they anger the elves, even if it's an unintentional mistake, they will suffer ferocious revenge! Alan and his companions were quite lucky.
It was the season for fairies to be hospitable.
But it wasn't quite so good.
Because fairies and humans have different customs.
The fairies' hospitality to visitors wasn't something humans could quite handle.
Friday morning.
The tour group traveled through a valley adorned with flowers.
Among the wildflowers blooming along the stream's banks, not only were bees busy gathering nectar, but a group of little fairies also danced gracefully among the blossoms.
At first glance, these "flower fairies" looked like fluttering butterflies.
On closer inspection, they resembled little girls shrunk down to three inches tall.
Their skin was white and tender, like milk.
Their delicate appearance was incredibly adorable.
The flower fairies fluttered their colorful butterfly wings, flying around overhead, emitting crisp laughter.
The girls in the group were mesmerized by these beautiful and adorable little fairies.
They couldn't help but stop and gaze up at the flower fairies dancing in the air, their eyes filled with fascination.
Papapapa!
Herent clapped his hands three times.
Everyone was startled, snapping back to reality.
"Flower fairies hate noise," Herent said in a deep voice.
"Everyone, please be quiet and follow me!"
The group of sixty quickly crossed the valley where the flower fairies lived.
The flower fairies accompanied them along the way.
They didn't stop until they had exited the valley.
The group hovered in mid-air, watching the travelers depart.
Their beautiful faces were filled with expressions of reluctance.
"Those flower fairies don't seem to have any ill intentions?"
After leaving the valley, Allen asked Herent.
"They truly have no ill intentions. They simply want us to have a deep sleep in the valley."
Herent explained with a smile.
"The fine scales on the wings of the flower spirits have a powerful hypnotic effect."
"They love to fly over travelers' heads, scattering the scales."
"Travelers unknowingly inhale the scales and find themselves dozing off."
"Once you fall asleep, the flower spirits will considerately perform a magical trick to remove your armor and weapons."
"So you can lie down on the soft grass and sleep comfortably, relieving your travel fatigue."
"A little fairy who can induce sleep sounds adorable!"
A girl asked Herent quizzically.
"Senior, why are you urging us to hurry, as if those flower spirits are dangerous?"
"Flower spirits themselves aren't dangerous."
"They like to lull people to sleep, which isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"The problem is that the wilderness itself is a source of danger."
"What if you give in to the flower spirits' wishes and sleep on the grass all day?"
"Not to mention the delays, what if a venomous snake or beast approaches?"
"Little goblins like flower spirits can't even defeat a crow, so they have no power to help you drive away venomous snakes or beasts!"
Everyone shuddered as they imagined the scenario described by the senior.
Even if they didn't encounter a wild animal while sleeping, they were bound to be exposed to the elements.
If they caught a cold or contracted a disease from camping out in the wild, who would be responsible? "So, while the flower spirits have good intentions, it's a shame we can't appreciate their kindness. It's best to keep our distance."
Herent gave his juniors a heartfelt warning.
The next day, the team continued their journey through the Fairy Forest.
The afternoon sun filtered through the treetops, casting tiny golden specks across the ground.
Intertwining with the shadows beneath the trees,
Together, they wove a natural floral carpet.
Alan and his group followed this interwoven carpet of light and shadow until they reached a clearing in the woods, where they suddenly heard the melodious sound of a flute.
Everyone was captivated by the sound and stopped in their tracks.
The girls in the team were particularly moved by it, captivated.
They involuntarily walked towards the sound.
Herent raised an eyebrow, anger etched in her eyes. Fortunately, she was experienced in leading teams and had been prepared for the current unusual situation.
She pulled a silver whistle from her pocket and puffed out her cheeks to blow.
The sharp whistle echoed through the forest, disrupting the melodious and harmonious flute music.
The girls, captivated by the flute's sound, gradually regained their senses, their faces filled with fear.
Herent put away the whistle.
He shouted coldly into the dense forest, "Get out of here!"
"Beautiful lady, please calm down."
A man's voice echoed from the forest.
The voice was magnetic, the tone quite elegant.
Alan looked over curiously.
He saw a figure in the distance, walking towards them.
From the waist up, he was shirtless.
He had bronze skin and well-defined abdominal muscles, exuding a masculine aura. From the waist down, it resembled a wild animal walking upright.
It had a thick black mane and a pair of goat's hooves.
From its forehead, a pair of curved black horns protruded.